Simon Thomas reveals that his father died at the age of 78

Simon Thomas revealed on Friday that his father died at the age of 78.

The former Sky presenter, 47, took to Instagram to educate fans about the tragic news that follows his wife Gemma’s death nearly three years after her battle with a rare cancer.

Simon shared a photo of his late father with his mother and wrote in his emotional tribute, “Goodbye father. We will always love you.

Tragic: Simon Thomas revealed on Friday that his father died at the age of 78 after the tragic death of his wife Gemma

“Perhaps Ethan’s words best summed up earlier this week when I asked him how he felt Grandpa was sick, he said,” I feel sad, but Grandpa has a lot to be proud of.

“Producing three beautiful children (especially Becky and Hannah), married and spent all his life with the lovely grandmother and spent his life serving God.”

Goodbye Dad. You were the absolute best. We love you xxx 16/12/41 – 29/05/20 ‘

Simon did not tell how his father died and simply chose to say he had been ill.

Moving: Simon shares a photo of his late father with his mother and writes in his emotional tribute, “Goodbye, father. We will always love you ‘

Loss: Gemma died of acute myeloid leukemia at just 40 years of age shortly before Christmas 2017 – three days after diagnosis (pictured in 2015)

Simon’s wife Gemma died of acute myeloid leukemia just three years before Christmas 2017 at the age of 40 – three days after diagnosis.

On Mother’s Day, he shared a black and white photo of Ethan, nine, and his late mother, revealing that the day was “hard to bear” after the loss of Gemma.

Simon opened his heart to the social media site and wrote, “We thought she would always be there to guide you. To be right behind you as you grew, grew up and started to spread your wings. We thought the love and wisdom she gave in your life would never stop flowing. We assumed that those days would not end long.

“I feel so blessed that my mom has always been there for me and her love and support for me has never waned. I am blessed that she is still here today to send flowers and thank you, and I love you. ‘

Tribute: On Mother’s Day, he shared a black and white photo of Ethan, nine, and his late mother, revealing that the day was ‘hard to bear’ after the loss of Gemma

Heartbreaking: In his moving tribute, Simon wrote that ‘sometimes you have to do things differently. Remember Mama and celebrate her precious boy ‘

He continued, “But I feel heartbroken that for my son, Mother’s Day will forever become a very, very different day. A day when he will remember her and thank him for everything she has done for him in those eight short years, but a day that will also be punctuated with the burning pain of her absence. I am happy that we have a day to celebrate our mothers; but for so many it will be very difficult today. ‘

He touched on how difficult it is to build up to Mother’s Day for both himself and those who have lost someone nearby, adding, “The past few weeks of Mother’s Day signs adorning most stores have been hard to bear.

“For those you know today who will miss a mom who’s gone, miss a dad who won’t be there to make them feel special, a friend who mourns the loss of a son or daughter, or those who hopes the painful, dashing treaties to be a mother – give them a hug. Give them a call. Invite them. Let them know that they are not alone. ‘

Tragic loss: Norfolk-born father of one Simon raised son Ethan on his own after losing his wife Gemma to cancer in late 2017 (pictured in 2015)

The former Blue Peter host also uploaded an image with a framed photo of Gemma and Ethan, which he captioned, “Sometimes you have to do things differently. Think of Mom and her precious boy. ‘

Simon made his first public appearance in March 2019 with his new partner, 29-year-old Derrina Jebb.

Simon started a relationship with Derrina in 2018, after meeting at church, and praised her for having formed a ‘seamless bond’ with Ethan.

Speak in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live Speaking about his new relationship in November, he said, “I am well aware that she was someone I had never known before and who I have come to know over the past few weeks and months.

Healing: Simon first performed in March 2019 with his new partner, 29-year-old Derrina Jebb

Sweet: Simon started a relationship with Derrina in 2018, after meeting at church, praising her for forming a ‘seamless bond’ with Ethan

In the early stages she had this empathy for me. She is also a Christian and that is important to me as a man of faith.

“She has been an incredible support to me. She was the only one who always answered the phone.

“What I saw in her, I saw in Gemma. When she said my phone is always on, she meant it. ‘